What is the origin of picnic?
My research states that picnic comes from the French word Pique-nique and became common in the mid 18th century. It also states that the French word Pique-nique has an unknown origin making picnic have an unknown origin.
pic·nic
ˈpikˌnik
noun
noun: picnic; plural noun: picnics
1. an outing or occasion that involves taking a packed meal to be eaten outdoors. synonyms: outdoor meal, al fresco meal, cookout, barbecue
"a picnic on the beach"
a packed meal taken on an outing and eaten outdoors.
verb
verb: picnic; 3rd person present: picnics; past tense: picnicked; past participle: picnicked; gerund or present participle: picnicking
1. have or take part in a picnic.
Origin
mid 18th century: from French pique-nique, of unknown origin.